By the time a woman reaches 30, she’s lost 90 percent of her ovarian eggs for good, according to a new study, which suggests that the female “biological clock situation is worse than we thought," says Elan Simckes, M.D., medical director and founder of The Fertility Partnership of St. Peter’s, MO.
The study, published by the University of St. Andrews and Edinburgh University in Scotland found that 95 percent of women have less than 12 percent of their ovarian egg reserve left by age 30 and only three percent by 40.
“It sends a strong message to wannabe moms that ‘sooner is better,’ says Dr. Simckes. “I have been telling patients for years that a woman’s ability to
conceive peaks in her late teens stays fairly stable until 30 and nosedives after 35.”
At the same time the study is bolstering medical community recommendations surrounding women’s age and conception, it speaks volumes about the anxiety women over 30 face when trying to conceive.
Biological Clock Ticks Faster Than Most Women Realize
I'm getting closer to 30 (I'll be 28 in June) as well as my female friends. This article has freaked me out. I usually tell myself I could have a baby in my late 30s because my sister is 36 and having her first baby, plus my mom had me at age 43. But now I am thinking what can I do? What can woman everywhere do? Nature wants us to conceive at a young age yet society won't allow it. It is best for a woman to be well educated, have a solid job, in good financial standing and then be in a rock solid relationship, married or not, before she even thinks about getting pregnant. By the time she gets all this, she is in her 30s and her fertility drops dramatically. She then may face fertility treatments, at-risk pregnancies, etc.
I'm curious about everyone's thoughts are about this - particularly women in their late 20s and older.